Maharashtra declares Blue Mormon as ‘state butterfly’

Mumbai: After state animal, bird and tree, west-Indian state Maharashtra now has a ‘state butterfly’.

For the first time in the country, the government in Maharashtra has declared ‘Blue Mormon’ as the ‘state butterfly’ as part of its nature conservation initiative.

The decision was taken in a recent meeting of the state Wildlife Board here chaired by Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar.

Maharashtra already has Indian Giant Squirrel (Shekru) as its ‘state animal’, Yellow Footed Green Pigeon (Hariyal) as ‘state bird’, mango as ‘state tree’, and Lagerststroemia (Jarul) as ‘state flower’ but did not have butterfly as one of the symbols representing its flora and fauna.

“Nature-lovers have always been fascinated by butterfly. No state in the country has ever declared a state butterfly and the species has been one of the most neglected elements,” Mungantiwar said.

The state is home to nearly 225 varieties of butterflies and home to about 15 per cent of their population in the country.

“Academicians, research scholars on butterflies and nature-lovers have requested the government to consider Blue Mormon for the coveted title,” the minister said.

Scientifically known as Papilio polymnestor, ‘Blue Mormon’ has velvet, black wings with bright blue spots.

It is only found in Sri Lanka, western ghats of Maharashtra and southern and coastal belts of the country. Occasionally, this butterfly is also spotted from Vidharbha to western Maharashtra.